Tipperary will be without influential forward Patrick 'Bonner' Maher for Sunday's Allianz Hurling League quarter-final clash with Clare in Ennis.

The Lorrha-Dorrha player has been ruled out of the trip to Ennis with a knee injury but could return for his club when they tackle rivals Portroe in the first round of the county senior hurling championship on Sunday, April 10.

Corner-back Michael Cahill is also out with a hamstring injury but forward Jason Forde could feature for the Premier County for the first time since starring in the opening-day victory over Dublin.

Forde was a key figure for University of Limerick in their Fitzgibbon Cup campaign but he sustained a hamstring injury in the final defeat to Mary Immaculate College and has been ruled out since then.

But the Silvermines attacker played against Moycarkey-Borris in a county senior hurling challenge cup fixture last Friday night and despite his club's defeat, Forde did well around the middle of the field.

Forde hit 1-5 from play against Dublin in February and his return will provide Tipperary manager Michael Ryan with another attacking option following Seamus Callanan's successful return from injury against Cork.

Ryan will also have wing-backs Barry Heffernan and Pádraic Maher available after both shipped heavy knocks in the comprehensive victory against the Rebels.